outpatient

American  

[out-pey-shuhnt] / ˈaʊtˌpeɪ ʃənt /

Or out-patient

noun

1. a patient who receives treatment at a hospital, as in an emergency room or clinic, but is not hospitalized.

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outpatient British  

/ ˈaʊtˌpeɪʃənt /

noun

1. a nonresident hospital patient Compare inpatient

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Usage

What does outpatient mean? Outpatient is commonly used as an adjective to describe treatment that does not require a patient to stay overnight at a hospital or other care facility—they come and leave on the same day.Outpatient is used in contrast with the term inpatient, which describes treatment that requires a patient to be admitted for at least one night.The terms are especially used in phrases like outpatient procedure (after which the patient can leave, instead of staying for further observation or treatment), inpatient treatment (which requires the patient to stay overnight at the hospital), and inpatient room (where such patients stay).Outpatient and inpatient are typically used in the context of hospitals, though inpatient can also refer to a patient who is admitted overnight at a mental health facility or other kind of clinic.Both terms can also be used as nouns referring to such patients.Example: I have an outpatient procedure scheduled for tomorrow morning, so I should be back home by the afternoon.

Etymology

Origin of outpatient

First recorded in 1705–15; out- + patient

Example Sentences

Much of the employment growth is happening where care is cheapest and most labor-intensive: in private living rooms and outpatient clinics.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

Last year alone, PE firms purchased at least 149 dental offices and 148 outpatient medical practices.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2026

Medicare Part B premiums, which cover doctors and hospital outpatient services, will rise to about $5,000 a year by 2035, up from about $2,440, according to a recent report by the Senate Joint Economic Committee.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

But outpatient areas like A&E units are not included.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2026

“I have outpatient therapy from four to five, remember?”

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben

Related Words

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